i woke up early
in a home that wasn’t mine
felt the sunlight streaming in
through the window
making shadows on my face
like the bars of a cell
the light told me
i could be seen
so i got up
and left
and waited for night
later
crossing the bridge in the dark
i could see almost nothing
but it was clear
on the other side
the possible paths sprouted
like the branches of a grafted tree
bowed with a varied assortment of fruits
none of them ripe
all of them somewhat
sour
but i gave thanks
for at least i had a choice
and it beat being back in the cage
with my rotting intentions